(330c) Zero-Resistance Ammetry As a Low Power Approach to Monitor Microbially Influenced Corrosion

We are developing an electrochemical sensing method that uses zero-resistance ammetry (ZRA) measurements along a pipeline to detect microbially influenced corrosion (MIC). In order to develop ZRA as an MIC monitoring tool, we use split chamber ZRA (SC-ZRA) incubations that deploy two steel working electrodes (WE1 and WE2) in chambers separated a salt bridge. Subsequently, one chamber is inoculated with an individual or consortia of microorganisms, and ZRA and potential measurements can be made in conjunction with evaluations of microbiological activities. This approach allows us to separate the abiotic and biotic corrosion mechanisms. During monitoring, the direction and magnitude of the current produced can be indicative of the mechanisms and extents of MIC. Additionally, the SC-ZRA setup mimics the heterogenous biofilm coverage of metal surfaces that leads to MIC, and could be used to establish the electrochemical signatures of MIC. In this work, detection of MIC will be carried out under anoxic and flow conditions. We have obtained samples from several natural gas transmission pipelines and are conducting preliminary physicochemical and microbiological characterizations of the slurries.